-
Burned Queen by Ellie Ember (#2)
Have you ever picked up a sequel that was totally unexpected but a completely natural extension of the first book? Burned Queen absolutely delivers, both deepening and expanding the world introduced in Paper Castles in a way that makes you go, “Of course!” If you haven’t read Paper Castles, you can check out my non-spoilery…
-
Double Take (#1) by Lynette Eason
I think Double Take is now my top thriller/mystery read of the year, maybe ever! With high, personal stakes, deep themes relating to relationships and family, and a great worldview, Double Take is a stellar read. Here is the blurb from Goodreads for context before getting into the review: Detective James Cross has been honorably…
-
Peril in Dry Springs by Kristina Hall
It’s a great sign when I stay up until 3am to finish a book, and Peril in Dry Springs had me doing just that. I loved the first book, but getting to know Ira Burke and follow his story was something else. Here’s the Goodreads blurb for more information: Dry Springs hasn’t seen the last…
-
Hear the Falling Snow by Storm Shultz
Hear the Falling Snow is a cozy contemporary romance full of heart and hope in the midst of waiting. I really enjoyed meeting this cast of characters and seeing God’s hand in their lives, but I was also disappointed in a few aspects. Here’s the Goodreads blurb: Accepting God’s timing has never been so hard.…
-
A Realm of Rebels by Tiana Ibrahim
You’ll enjoy A Realm of Rebels if you like fantasy with political tension, solid world building, and strong emphasis on family. It was a great read, and I really loved the characters and complex dynamics, but I did hit a snag in the worldview. Here’s the blurb from Goodreads for more information: A rebellion is…
-
Trouble in Dry Springs by Kristina Hall
I’ve been reading so much fantasy, Trouble in Dry Springs by Kristina Hall was a great change of pace–and I loved it! This historical western is full of heart, tension, and hope. This is book 1 in the Dry Springs Chronicles, and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: Even the peaceful town of Dry Springs is…
-
Paper Castles (#1) by Ellie Ember
Paper Castles is the first book in the Paper Castles trilogy, and it does a fantastic job. I’m tired of trilogies at this point, since more and more of them use book 1 for setting the stage and neglect a standalone plot. But Paper Castles does everything a first book in a trilogy should do…
-
Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley (#3)
I forgot I had read book 2 in this series until I picked up Deadly Revenge last week. Unfortunately, I much prefer Fatal Witness, for its characters if nothing else. Ratings for Deadly Revenge Story: 4/5 Worldview: 3/5 The story had a really interesting premise, with a great start in the first few chapters. The…
-
Crown of the Stag (#2) by Ella Walker Henderson
Crown of the Stag picks up right where Fang of the Wolf leaves off, and it raises the stakes and tension even higher! Valaria is home from searching for her father, the Varg, but the world is changing and her place in it, whether she likes it or not. Here’s a brief blurb of the…
-
Fang of the Wolf ( #1) by Ella Walker Henderson
Fang of the Wolf stands out among fantasy I’ve read over the past few years. Even though it is fantasy (as in, set in another world), it really reads like historical fiction (no magic). I really enjoyed this book from start to finish and I can’t wait to dig into book 2! Here’s some background…
-
The Wolf Warden by Kathryn Jordan
If you’re looking for a heart-warming fantasy that explores deep themes, you can find it in The Wolf Warden by Kathryn Jordan. This book releases on November 15th, and here’s the blurb from Goodreads for reference: Varda Glipwood has trained nearly her entire existence for one thing: to destroy life. When her beloved sister is…
-
Reach by O McCarthy (For the Stars Book 1)
It seems I’ve been on a sci-fi dystopian kick lately, and Reach is a great addition to that list! I didn’t know what to expect exactly with the mention of martian genetics, secret government plot, and chess? (I love chess, especially when I’m the one losing lol) Ratings for Reach Story: 4/5 Worldview: 4/5 Story…